Enter the Void

Elira paced anxiously with her arms crossed behind Korra, who was staring out the window at the passing mountains. Behind them, the others stood around a war table and Su placed an airship figurine in front of the temple 

"I say we make our approach from the west, drop down from the airship on cables, ambush these Red Lotus low-lives before they know what hit them" She explained 

"It will never work. That combustion lady will pick us off one by one." Lin argued 

"You have a better idea on how to save the airbenders?" Su questioned 

"Yeah. We come up from the valley, scale the side of the mountain and take them off guard." Lin gestured to the map

"That could work," Tonraq agreed 

"No, it'll give them the high ground. Even against a normal opponent, that's not a good plan" Shai shook his head

"And if that lavabender spots us, he'll melt the mountainside taking us along with it" Azula added 

"Wait, I've got it." Bolin cut in, smiling " I'll disguise myself as a lost hiker, and once I'm in the temple, I'll distract the Red Lotus with my bird calls" Bolin whistled, making bird calls "That's when you all strike" 

The others just stared at him judgingly 

"It's like Sokka all over again" Azula muttered to Shai, rolling her eyes. Shai coughed to try and hide his laughter. 

"Bird calls, really?" Mako raised an eyebrow at his brother. 

"Well, I haven't noticed you offering any suggestions." Bolin glared

" It doesn't matter. None of these ideas will work. The second Zaheer realizes we're up to something, he'll wipe out the airbenders" Korra muttered dejectedly 

"And my family along with them!" Elira exclaimed, tugging on her hair stressfully as she paced. 

"And our family's too. Believe me, we understand what's at stake" Su said, sympathetically 

"Then I'll think you agree that the only plan that will work ...is for me to give myself up" Korra turned around to face everyone. 

Elira stopped short, she and the others stared at the Avatar in horror at her suggestion. 

"What?" 

"Korra, no"  

"We'll figure out another way." 

"General Shai, Lady Azula, I talked it over with you and Lord Zuko,  and I've given it a lot of thought," Korra explained 

"Korra, when we said that Aang would sacrifice anything to protect the air nation, that wasn't a suggestion for you to foolishly throw yourself to the owl wolves" Azula reprimanded harshly 

"Korra, we understand you want to help, but the world needs its avatar and we have no idea what Zaheer wants with you" Shai added, in a much gentler tone than Azula's.  

"It's because I'm the avatar that I have to do this" Korra replied stubbornly 

"You can't expect us to sit by and let Zaheer take you." Asami frowned 

"Korra, I am at risk of losing nearly everything I care about because of that madman. I am not losing you too!" Elira argued hotly 

"El, you know as well as I do that the world has been out of balance for far too long. It needs the Air Nation back again. I can't let Zaheer destroy it and everyone we love. Help me save the airbenders, then you can worry about saving me." Korra declared 

The adults shared uneasy glances and Azula sighed irritably, crossing her arms "It seems we have no choice" 

"We're with you, Korra," Tonraq said 

"Yes, whatever you need, they're here" Su added 

" I'll go radio Zaheer." Korra looked down sadly, walking out of the room. 

*

Everyone was waiting in the meeting room as Korra radioed Zaheer. Elira was pacing anxiously again in front of her friends. 

"Will you sit down? I'm already tense enough as it is" Mako scowled as Elira passed him for the millionth time. 

"And how do you think I feel, hmm?" Elira snapped, continuing her pacing 

"Right...sorry" Mako muttered

Elira simply huffed and walked away, moving to stand by the window. She glared at the mountains passing below them and didn't even react when Shai came to stand beside her. 

"Elira..." He said gently "I understand you're worried, I am too. But don't take your frustrations out on your friends. It will only make you feel worse" 

Elira sighed, her glare fading into a look of regret "I know, I'm sorry...I'm scared, Grandpa"

Shai wrapped an arm around his granddaughter who leaned her head on his shoulder "So am I, my dear. But if there's one thing I know, it is that our family are a stubborn bunch. Especially on your Gran-Gran's side. They'll be okay, you'll see" 

Korra then re-entered the room causing everyone to perk up. 

"Did you speak to Zaheer?" Tonraq asked 

"Yes. He told me to come to the top of Laghima's Peak at noon, alone. Once he has me, he'll release the airbenders over to you at the temple." Korra explained 

"Well, we could do that and play right into Zaheer's hands. Or we could go another, more beneficial route" Azula cut in

"I assume by that you mean you have some sort of plan?" Shai questioned as everyone crowded around Azula at the war table. 

"I do, one that will ensure that the airbenders and Korra all come out in one piece. Zaheer doesn't know how many of us there are, so we have the numbers advantage. I say we split into two teams" Azula explained, placing the airship figurine on the temple "Elira, Mako, Bolin and Asami will take the airship up to the temple" She then placed a Metal Clan figurine on the mountain "Meanwhile, the rest of us, along with Su's metalbenders, will get in position below Laghima's Peak ready to ambush Zaheer...You're welcome" 

Elira and Korra made eye contact, and both looked determined. This may just work. 

*

The airship had landed at the bottom of Laghima's Peak, hidden by the thick clouds. Tonraq and Su were waiting outside while Lin, Azula and Shai talked to the Team Avatar at the mouth of the airship.

"Radio the second you see those airbenders," Lin ordered Mako whilst handing Korra a radio. 

"I will, Chief. Good luck." Mako replied and Lin nodded at the teens before walking off the airship. 

"Stay safe, all of you," Shai advised as Elira hugged him "And be sure to look out for one another, watch each other's backs" 

"We will" Elira replied as Shai headed off the airship to join the others.

"Stay safe" Asami smiled, hugging Korra 

"You too," She said, pulling away to hug Mako and then Elira. 

"Please come back" The airbender whispered 

"I will" Korra nodded

Bolin then hugged her side, sobbing, making her smile sadly before walking off the airship. Azula was now the only one left to depart before they could leave. 

"Shai may have been being polite as always" She stared down Asami and the boys, a dangerous glint in her eye "I, however, will not be so kind should anything happen to my niece" 

Her sharp eyes pierced into the three teens and Bolin gulped, sweating nervously as they stared petrified by the firebender. 

"Am I understood?" Azula hissed

"Yes, ma'am" Bolin squeaked, saluting with a shaking hand. 

"Nothing will happen to El, promise" Mako added, clearly intimidated by the woman, knowing what a threat she once was in the past. 

"Aunt Azula, enough. Stop scaring them" El scolded lightly, walking back over from the door. 

"I was simply warning them of the repercussions" Azula smirked briefly before turning serious again "But do be careful, Elira" 

"You too" Elira gave her aunt a reassuring smile, knowing the legendary firebender wasn't much one for hugs unless it was from Zira. 

Azula gave one last nod at her niece before leaving the airship, standing with the others as they watched it take off. 

*

The airship approached the air temple and from one of the windows, Elira  Mako and Bolin surveyed the damage done. 

"Oh, man," Bolin muttered at the state of the temple. 

It was awful. Parts of towers were destroyed and crumbling and debris, scorch marks and remains of hardened lava littered the grounds. 

"Must have been some fight," Mako said 

Elira gripped her glider tighter as she beheld the destruction of a once beautiful place. Bolin noticed. 

"But I'm sure no one was seriously hurt. Right, Mako?" Bolin nudged his brother, giving him a look. 

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure they're all okay, El" Mako reassured. 

"I hope so" Elira muttered as Bolin wrapped an arm around her shoulders. 

"Mako, do you see the airbenders?" Korra's voice came over the radio and Mako picked it up. 

"Not yet. We're just arriving. Don't turn yourself over until I get a visual on them" He replied 

Finally docking, Bolin tied the tethering ropes before they all approached the temple, spotting Ghazan waiting for them in the doorway. They all glared at the lavabender and Elira stepped forward, her staff raised ready. 

"Where's my family?" She demanded, pointing her staff at the man. 

"This way." Ghazan gestured for the teens to follow him but none of them moved a muscle, eyeing him suspiciously. "You want the airbenders, or not?" 

Seeing as they had no choice, the teens glanced at each other before reluctantly following, Bolin taking Elira's hand. 

*

Inside the temple. Ghazan led Team Avatar into a hall where Tenzin was chained to the floor and gagged, while the other airbenders were bound up and hooded behind him. Upon seeing her father, Elira gasped 

"Dad!" She went to run forward

"Not so fast" Ghazan quickly stepped in her way, preventing her from reaching her father. 

"Mako, what's going on?" Korra asked over the radio 

"They're here. And so is the lavabender." Mako replied 

"Let them go" Elira glared at Ghazan 

"Not until Zaheer gives the word" Ghazan glared right back at the teenager 

It was then Zaheer's voice came through the lavabender's radio "Wipe them out!" 

"No!" Elira and the others rushed forward but Ghazan held up his hand, holding the radio to his ear with the other. 

"Stand down. We have her." Zaheer then said 

Ghazan put away his radio and stepped aside, allowing the teens to rush past him. Elira slid to her knees beside her father, helping him sit up. 

"Dad! Dad, wake up!" 

 Tenzin weakly opened his eyes, but when he saw his daughter and her friends he began shaking his head, saying something muffled behind his gag. 

"It's okay, Dad. We're about to get you and the others out of here" Elira reassured before looking behind her at the others chained up as Mako got up to help them "Is anyone else hurt?" 

No answer came from the airbenders. 

"Mom, are you and the kids alright?" She asked again, but still no answer came. 

As Mako reached where the others were chained up, all of a sudden, the hooded figures collapsed into a pool of water, revealing Ming-Hua seated among the decoys. 

"No..." Elira whispered in horror as the waterbender stood with a menacing smirk 

Ming-Hua rushed to attack Team Avatar, but Mako blocked the attack with fire before grabbing his radio. "Korra, it was a trick! They're not here. Don't turn yourself over! Chief, get Korra out of there. Now!" 

Ming-Hua scaled up the walls, using her water climbs to swing herself up before flipping and landing next to Ghazan. 

Ghazan then directed lava towards Bolin, who blocked it with an earth column as Elira and Mako ran up, attacking with their respective element, while Asami tended to Tenzin.

"Where're the airbenders?" She asked as she worked on unlocking the chains with a hairpin. 

"I don't know. Zaheer moved them out of the temple" Tenzin replied weakly. 

Mako firebent at Ming-Hua, who stopped the attack with her water arms only to be pushed back towards Ghazan by a blast of air from Elira. 

"Won't you just bury them already?" Ming-Hau snapped at the lavabender 

Ghazan leapt forward, lavabending a large portion of the floor, before spreading it across the room. As they exited, Ghazan covered the exit path as well. Elira looked on in fear before her face hardened in determination and she jumped forward towards the lava, inhaling. As she exhaled she released a large gale-force gust which when it hit the magma turned it into solidified rock. Unfortunately, there was so much lava, that the rock Elira had cooled was immediately engulfed again by the hot magma. Fear returned to her face and she quickly backed up towards her friends. Behind her, Asami was still struggling to free Tenzin

"Come on" She muttered before punching the hairpin and successfully popping open the shackles. Wrapping Tenzin's arm around her shoulder she helped the airbending master up as Elira rushed over. 

"I've got him. Thanks, Asami" She said, taking over supporting her father 

"We have to get to the airship" Asami declared 

"Not gonna happen. The exit's blocked." Bolin replied before bending the tiles on the floor up and forming a barricade to stop the lava flow. 

A pillar crumbled and collapsed into the magma as Tenzin groaned in pain, slumping forward and Elira tried to hold him up. 

"Dad! Just hang on, okay? We'll find a way out. Where's Oogi?" Elira asked as Mako rushed over to help support Tenzin, slinging his other arm over his shoulder. 

"Gone. All the bison got scared off during the attack. But, I think I know another way out. Bolin, can you get us to that wall?" Tenzin shakily gestured to the wall behind them, which had an Air Nation symbol carved into the stone. 

"On it!" Bolin replied before bending at the wall, gradually pushing a segment back to form a tunnel. 

*

The tunnel had led Team Avatar out of the hall and into the meditation room. As they entered, Elira and Mako still supporting Tenzin, Bolin noticed the lava approaching and blocked off the flow by bending a large rock in front of the doorway. 

"Through there." Tenzin feebly pointed to a trapped door on the floor which Asmai and Bolin opened to reveal a staircase leading down into another tunnel. 

They all quickly climbed in and closed the trapped door behind them as the lava began to seem through the rock Bolin had blocked the door with. In the tunnel, Mako lit a fire in his palm to provide light. As they walked, Tenzin glanced at his daughter. 

"You cut your hair" He pointed out 

"Yeah. Long story, I'll tell you once we're out of here" Elira gave a half-hearted smile, more focused on making sure her father was supported as they walked. 

"Hmm. Looks nice...Elira. You shouldn't have come back" Tenzin wheezed 

"Eh, you know me, Dad. I never do what I'm told" Elira smirked and Tenzin gave a weak smile

Behind them, Bolin began pulling at his collar, getting uncomfortable "Is it just me, or is it uh, getting really warm in here?" 

Looking back, Elira gasped and pointed "Bolin, look out!" 

The lava had come through the trap door and was flowing down towards them! 

"Oh, this is not good" Bolin muttered, noticing the lava, before quickly bending a wall across the tunnel to block the lava 

"Let's move it, people!" He urged as they carried on down the steps. 

They were going as fast as they possibly could, but with Tenzin so badly injured and having to be carried, it wasn't long before the lava caught soon caught up with them again. 

Elira noticed the tunnel begin to glow orange again and looked over her shoulder to see the lava gaining fast 

"It's no use, we can't outrun it!" She cried 

Bolin then pushed in front of the others and earthbent a hole in the wall "This way!" 

The group entered the tunnel just seconds before the lava would've engulfed them. They soon reached the edge of the mountainside, with Bolin earthbending the stone out to reveal the outside. 

"Now what?" Mako asked "I doubt we'd all gonna fit on El's glider" 

The group then turned back to see the lava coming down the tunnel. It looked like this was the end. As the lava surged closer, Bolin took one last glance at the others. Elira clung to her father, her eyes broad and terrified. Determination surged through Bolin and he suddenly charged forward towards the oncoming magma. 

He planted his feet, shut his eyes and stretched out his hands.

"Bolin!" Mako shouted as his brother yelled out

The lava flew over him then suddenly stopped and retreated as Bolin brought his hands together and pushed the lava back, solidifying it into one solid rock. 

"Incredible." Tenzin gasped, as he and the others stared at Bolin in awe and shock. 

"You're a lavabender," Mako said in amazement and Bolin opened his eyes, seeing what he had done. 

"I know" Bolin straightened up, his eyes just as broad as the others "I just found out" 

A high-pitched bison groan behind them then caught their attention, turning back to the hole in the mountain to find Kai flying over to them on a baby bison. 

"Hey, you guys need a lift?" He asked 

"Kai. You're all right." Tenzin smiled in relief 

"More or less. Everyone hop on." Kai waved them onto his bison. 

 Tenzin climbed onto the bison first, followed by Asami. Mako followed suit, causing the bison to lose altitude. As Bolin climbed on, it groaned from the impact. 

"I think I'm good with my glider for now," Elira said, seeing how much weight the poor creature was already carrying. 

Opening her glider, Elira took flight and she and the bison flew away from the temple. As they left, Tenzin looked back sadly as the temple began to collapse, swallowed by the lava. A once mighty and prosperous place. Now gone forever. 

*

Kai brought them to the foot of the mountain where the others were tending to the wounded and wallowing in their defeat. Bolin made bird calls to announce their arrival, Suyin pointing up to them as Kai's bison flew into the camp, landing heavily and tossing Bolin off as Elira landed gracefully beside him. Shai, Suyin and Lin rushed forward to help Team Avatar as Azula went straight to her great-niece.  

"Besides the obvious state of your father, I'm right to assume no one else almost died?" She asked 

"Yes, we're all okay, thankfully" Elira smiled "I'm glad to see most of you got away unscathed as well" 

"Well, one doesn't get named the greatest firebender in the world for nothing" Azula boasted

"Who said you were the greatest?" Shai but in, taking Tenzin from Mako as Azula scowled and Elira breathed out a slight laugh at their antics. 

"Hey everybody, there's something I got to tell you." Kai declared but no one heard him 

"How did you guys make it out of the temple alive?" Lin questioned 

"It was all thanks to Bolin" Elira turned to her boyfriend proudly 

"Was it now?" Azula raised an eyebrow 

"Sure was. I thought we were done for, then out of nowhere, he lavabends" Mako reveals 

"Really? How extraordinary" Shai chuckled "Well done, Bolin" 

"I knew you had the potential for something big. You just had to believe in yourself." Su smiled 

"That's what I've been telling him all along" Elira smirked, hip-bumping Bolin

"You're right. Being moments from death was a pretty good motivator too" Bolin said 

"Well, it would seem you're not as incompetent as I first thought" Azula confessed, crossing her arms. 

"Uh..." Bolin looked to Elira for a translation of what the master firebender said, wondering if it was a good thing or not. 

"She's complimenting you" Elira whispered, giggling 

" A rare thing for Azula, so consider yourself lucky, Bolin"Shai added, smirking at Azula who scowled at him. 

"Oh, thank you, ma'am! Of course, we would have never made it back with Kai." Bolin grinned, gesturing to the young airbender 

"Glad I could help. So anyway-" 

"Did Zaheer get away with Korra?" Tenzin asked, cutting off Kai 

"I'm afraid so," Lin replied 

"Apparently, he can fly now," Su added much to Team Avatar's shock 

"What?" 

"Fly?" 

"How?" 

"Are you sure?" 

"I wouldn't believe it either if I hadn't seen it for myself," Lin said 

"Still not sure I believe it and I was there" Shai shook his head in disbelief. 

"I've heard the legends about Guru Laghima's ability to fly. I'd never imagine they were true." Tenzin stated 

"So what's our next move?" Tonraq wondered 

Kai moved to stand in the middle of the little huddle they'd formed "I have an idea" 

"Not now, kid! We need to figure out where Zaheer took Korra." Azula snapped at him 

"And find the airbenders." Tenzin added 

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Kai suddenly yelled, irritated "I know where the airbenders are, and I bet it's where Korra is too." 

"Well, why didn't you say something?" Mako questioned causing Kai to glare at him before sighing in annoyance. 

"Where are they? How did you find them?" Shai demanded 

"After I got blasted out the sky, I woke up on the side of the mountain, where this little fellow found me." Kai explained, kneeling to pet his bison's nose "I tried to sneak back into the temple, to see if I could rescue anyone, and that's when I saw the airship leaving. I followed it into some caves a few miles from here. The giant lady and some people put the airbenders into the caves." 

"Was it Ghazan and Ming-Hua?" Lin questioned 

"No, there were four more of them. They didn't look familiar." Kai stood up again 

"Must be more Red Lotus members than we thought," Mako said 

"I couldn't fight them on my own, so I came back here, hoping you guys would show up." Kai finished explaining 

"We need to get to those caves." Azula declared 

"How? I don't think we can all fit on my bison." Kai lay a hand on his bison's head. 

"I don't think that's gonna be a problem. Look!" Elira grinned, pointing up as a shadow flew over the group, accompanied by a familiar groan. 

The group looked up to see Oogi flying above them. 

"Oogi!" Tenzin called to his pet in relief 

Oogi flew down and landed in front of them, walking right up to Tenzin with a happy groan. 

"I'm glad to see you too, old friend" Tenzin smiled, petting his bison. 

"Good boy, Oogi. Extra moon peaches for you when we get home" Elira grinned, hugging the bison's head. The bison groaned happily 

*

Everyone had soon climbed into Oogie's saddle. Elira sat in the driver's seat since Tenzin was still too weak. She glanced behind her at her father leaning against the side of the saddle. 

"Dad, I really think you should sit this one out," Elira suggested, looking at her father with concern. "The others and I can handle this ourselves and you're hurt. You need rest" 

"As long as I'm breathing, nothing will stop me from protecting our family " Tenzin argued

Elira smiled "Then I guess that makes two of us" 

As they prepared to leave, Kuvira walked up to them. 

"I want to come with you." She declared, looking up at Su 

"No, Kuvira. Stay with the injured" Su ordered "We'll be back for you once we have the Avatar." 

Kuvira looked disappointed but nodded. 

Kai had just mounted his bison, whom he had named Lefty, when Mako approached him. 

"Hey. Um, I appreciate you coming back for us. Sorry for ever giving you a hard time." The firebender apologised 

"That's okay. I probably deserved it." Kai shrugged 

"Yeah, you kind of did," Mako smirked 

Elira smiled, happy to see the two finally getting along before she called out to them. 

"Mako, come on. If you don't get your butt on this bison in the next few seconds, I'm leaving without you" She playfully threatened 

"Alright, alright. I'm coming" Mako rolled his eyes teasingly, climbing into the saddle. 

"Oogi, yip yip" Elira flicked the reigns and they took to the skies, following behind Kai as he led them towards wherever the Red Lotus had taken Korra and the rest of their loved ones. 

As they flew, Elira's gaze hardened in determination. 

"Look out Red Lotus. We're coming" She whispered and the bison flew off disappearing into the mist.